Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

With the Forrest Wood Cup in town, the mention of bass is no rarity for Columbia, S.C. But how about salmon, trout, pike, sunfish, triggerfish, sailfish, catfish and marlin? Well, thanks to the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art contest, the town is enjoying a good dose of piscatorial diversity.

Now in its 16th year, the contest is open to kindergarten through high school students. Contestants were judged on their artwork, along with accompanying essays explaining the related conservation thoughts behind their work. Students throughout the U.S. and Canada can focus on any official state fish, regardless of where they live. Entries from Spain and the Philippines were also accepted.

Wildlife Forever (wildlifeforever.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving America's wildlife heritage by developing stewardship, hosts the annual event for state finalists in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup. Doug Grann, the group's president, says that teaching aquatic education through the arts provides a natural bridge to young minds.